The King and Queen drummed up a thirst for whiskey when they performed with a folk group during a celebration of Irish music, song and dance. Charles and Camilla were hailed as “naturals” as they played bodhran drums – after a quick lesson – while dancers gave a Riverdance-style performance in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter.
A few minutes later the couple were sipping Irish whiskey produced by Titanic Distillers, a new company that has transformed an Edwardian pumphouse, next to a dry dock famed for holding the Titanic, into a distillery.
Open-Air Celebration
The royal couple began their visit to Northern Ireland at an open-air event showcasing the type of acts on display when Belfast hosts the all-Ireland Fleadh – the world’s largest festival of traditional Irish music, song and dance – for the first time in August. School children played Irish folk songs on penny whistles, banjos and guitars, jugglers performed and there were cross-community multicultural performances – from a Polish folk troupe, Mexican dancers and a group with individuals in national dress from countries like Malawi, East Timor and China.
Charles could not resist dancing with the eclectic group from across the globe and joked with Tendai Nyamayaro as the two men swayed to Syrian music. Mr Nyamayaro, originally from Zimbabwe but now living and working in Belfast, said: “I didn’t expect the King to dance with us – that was pretty cool.”
Drumming Lesson
The royal couple sat down as Irish folk musicians played and each picked up a bodhran beside their seat and began to strum along. John Walsh, chief executive of Belfast City Council, stepped in to show the King how to hold the drum’s cipin, or beater, and the rhythm used to play it. He said afterwards: “I think they did very well, and as I said to them ‘you’re both naturals’.” He added: “The whole idea we celebrate at the Fleadh is getting people to participate and getting them to take up an instrument – that culture of producing music.”
Whiskey Tasting
In the distillery, Charles and Camilla were given a guided tour of the premises, which have retained the plant’s huge pumping equipment that adds to the atmosphere. They were later offered glasses of a blended Irish whiskey and Camilla said: “It’s really quite strong – a nice warming feeling.” She made her comments to Peter Lavery, the former Belfast bus driver who famously had a £10.2 million Lottery win exactly 30 years ago on Monday and is a founder and partner of the whiskey business. The Queen joked after taking a sip of a second whiskey, a five-year-old pot still, pretending to look a little giddy and smiled for the cameras. Mr Lavery said after the visit: “This was an unbelievable honour, a wee bit of luck for us in Belfast and good for tourism.”
Later Engagements
Later, Charles met young people and business owners during celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust at the Odyssey Complex. Charles enjoyed a dance demonstration from students from the hip-hop school Urban Motion. He also watched a demonstration of robots by students from Strabane Academy.
The Queen visited Fane Street Primary School in south Belfast, known for having the most diverse pupil community in Northern Ireland. Forty-five countries are represented and 47 different languages are spoken among its 285 pupils. After being treated to a musical and dance performance in the assembly hall, the Queen unveiled a plaque to commemorate her visit and then presented a selection of children’s books to school principal Hilary Cunningham. Camilla also gave a short address during which she hailed the work of the school.
Charles and Camilla then travelled to Hillsborough Castle, the royal residence in Northern Ireland, where they were greeted by First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.
